Commencement Celebrates Student Success



Commencement Speaker Dr. Stuart Noel

The annual Spring Commencement Ceremony at Snead State Community College was a celebration of student success as one of the College’s alumni shared his story with the more than 200 graduates participating.

Dr. Stuart Noel, Department Chair and Associate Professor of English at Georgia Perimeter College, was the guest speaker during the Commencement Ceremony held Thursday, May 10, in the Plunkett Wallace Gymnasium. Dr. Noel received his Associate in Science degree from Snead State in 1984.

“It was with great pride that I participated in this very ceremony 28 years ago. I know you thought that all the lectures were over, but I have one more lecture for you and a test to follow. I have been an English teacher most of my career, but I’m not giving you a lesson in grammar or literature. The lessons I want to share with you are the ones I’ve learned through life,” Dr. Noel told the graduates.



Dr. Noel advised the Class of 2012 to follow six simple lessons of life to guide them toward success with their future: remember what the Snead instructors taught them, do what they love to do, continue to learn, present themselves in the best possible way, be kind and courteous, and call their parents often.

“Happiness is about the journey, not the destination. Remember the test I told you about? It begins now – it’s your future, your life. If I have found success since I was sitting where you are today, it is because I enjoyed the journey as much as the destination,” he said.


Snead State President Dr. Robert Exley continued his Commencement tradition of recognizing graduates who achieved milestones while earning their Associate degree.

The first group of graduates to be recognized was a group who, because of a loss of job and income, completed SSCC’s Ready to Work Program and continued their education until they earned their Associate degree: Lisa Abbott, Tammy Hays, Beyanita Oviedo, Elodie Parmer, Sharon Soule, and Barbara Stokley.

Dr. Exley also recognized a couple raising three children close in age who received their Associate degree together. They dropped out of high school but later earned their GEDs. Beverly and Jeremy King of Arab decided to set an example for their children by completing their college degree. They did so while attending a few classes with two of their children, who are Snead students also.

The third graduate to be recognized is a Presidential Scholar, Landon Naylor of Sardis. Landon came to Snead with a mindset to experience new things, such as a role in a theatre production. Starting the fall 2012, Landon will have another experience with he pursues an Ivy League education at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

These graduates were just an example of the caliber of students receiving their Associate degrees and certificates.



“One thing you are not is indifferent. You care, and I thank you for that,” said Dr. Exley.

The celebration of student success and achievement continued not only with the presentation of certificates and degrees but also with the presentation of student awards.



Civitan Award Recipient
Will Tidmore

Will Tidmore of Albertville received the Civitan Best All-Around Student Award.  The Civitan Award is presented annually to the Best All-Around Student of the graduating class. To be eligible for this award, the student must have attended Snead State Community College for at least three semesters and attained a minimum cumulative academic average of 3.0 on a four-point scale.  In addition, the student should have participated in extracurricular and community activities. The student is elected by a vote of the faculty from a list of eligible graduates who are participating in the graduation ceremonies.





James B. Allen Award Recipient
Sarah Haygood

Sarah Haygood of Boaz was awarded the James B. Allen Award presented annually to the Outstanding Student of the graduating class.  This award is a gift of the late James B. Allen, United States Senator from Alabama. To be eligible for this award, the student must have exhibited outstanding qualities of leadership and service, attained a minimum cumulative academic average of 3.5, and attended Snead State Community College for at least three semesters. The student is elected by a vote of the faculty from a list of eligible graduates who are participating in the graduation ceremonies.

Sarah and Charlie Potter, also of Boaz, were recognized as this year’s members of the All-Alabama Academic Team. Meg was also named a Gold Scholar. The All-Alabama Scholarship program is a complement to the All-USA National Academic Team Program, which is sponsored by USA Today, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and the American Association of Community Colleges.